Of Old Things and Galleries
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Being fond of old things and ogling it was only natural that I enjoy visiting museums. The last time I visited one was when I was in Singapore and that was maybe one of the highlights of my trip. That was probably what I loved about the place, there were so many museums and they were mostly open for free in the public (if you care to know the schedules when they are free).
Anyway, I was up early and was one of the few early birds in the National Art Gallery. There were quite a lot of people waiting and they were already busy taking selfies in practically every picturesque corner of the beautiful neoclassical style of architecture built originally during the American Regime.
When the crowd were eventually allowed inside the swarm of people started to fill the galleries.
I waited for a few minutes in the main gallery where the Congress used to hold its sessions and now houses the Spoliarium of Juan Luna, until most of the children were deep inside the other galleries.
The Spoliarium is one intense work of art. It showed Juan Luna's complex and dark persona as an artist.
Most of the galleries were closed and the building was under renovation like all the other galleries. The three neoclassical buildings which include the former Department of Finance building (now the Museum of the Filipino People), the National Art Gallery and the Department of Tourism (which would become the Museum of National History by 2015) would become as the Museum Precinct of Manila in the area of Rizal Park.
One of my most favorite part of the National Art Gallery would be the former Senate.
I have this penchant with high ceilings and neoclassical Renaissance structures and the former Senate is an eye candy. It exudes a regal and formal atmosphere with the various statues that ornament the structure.
The Museum of the Filipino People located just across the National Art Gallery houses artifacts and dioramas explaining our ancient and native culture.
It was 2012 when I last visited this and the place was relatively the same except now that I get to savor every gallery unlike during regular days where there are a lot of people.
The last stop for my trip would be the Planetarium located between the Japanese and Chinese Gardens in Rizal Park.
The Planetarium constructed during the Marcos era needs some serious renovation though. There were only a handful of people when I was there so there was no light show (at least 50 people are needed). Not only that, there were some leaks throughout the gallery which for a klutz like me is very dangerous.
Despite the heat, being photographer for random strangers and being mistaken as a curator because I was lingering in the galleries, the whole Museum Day was enjoyable. Seeing the plan for the museum complex by 2015, I'm excited to revisit the galleries when they are completed.
“Do not fall in love with people like me.
I will take you to
museums, and parks, and monuments, and kiss you in every beautiful
place, so that you can never go back to them without tasting me like
blood in your mouth.I will destroy you in the most beautiful way
possible. And when I leave you will finally understand, why storms are
named after people.”
―
Caitlyn Siehl,
Literary Sexts: A Collection of Short & Sexy Love Poems
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Philippines
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